Organico Realfoods is a UK-based company specialising in organic and sustainably sourced food products. With a portfolio of five environmentally conscious brands, including the flagship Organico and Fish4Ever ranges, the business specialises in premium pantry staples and canned fish. At its core lies a mission to promote ethical food production, support sustainable farming practices and respond to growing consumer demand for transparency and traceability.
Organico’s operations are underpinned by its values of sustainability, fair trade and waste reduction, ensuring that every product supports healthier lifestyles while contributing positively to the environment and local communities.
As consumer preferences shift increasingly towards ethical consumption, Organico is leading by example, leveraging GS1 standards to enhance visibility, efficiency and trust across its supply chain.
Harnessing the power of next-generation barcodes
In 2023, Organico set out to modernise its packaging and deepen engagement with its customers. Partnering with Orca Scan and GS1 UK, the business aimed to implement QR codes powered by GS1—a cutting-edge solution that enables shoppers to access real-time, product-specific information by scanning packaging with their smartphones.
Organico provided GS1 GTINs and links to individual product pages, forming the basis of the new digital experience.
Using Orca Scan’s GS1 QR Code Generator, unique dynamic homepages and QR codes were created for each of the 92 products. These codes gave consumers seamless access to tailored, product-specific information, including sourcing practices, nutritional values, recycling guidance and environmental credentials.
Once generated, the QR codes were integrated into packaging and underwent rigorous testing to ensure reliability across a variety of devices and use cases. After successful validation, the new packaging was rolled out across the entire product range. A monitoring system was also introduced to track performance and gather user feedback, ensuring the solution evolved in line with consumer needs.
The success of Organico’s implementation reflects the wider impact of GS1 UK’s pilot, with fellow participants such as Hill Farm, JUX Food, Ntsama’s and Whey Better also demonstrating the power and flexibility of next-generation barcodes.
Delivering tangible value for consumers
The adoption of QR codes powered by GS1 has already delivered a range of measurable benefits. Shoppers now enjoy instant access to product-specific content—from detailed nutritional data and sourcing stories to recycling information and recipe inspiration. These enhancements support healthier, more sustainable and more informed purchasing decisions.
The codes also improve inclusivity, helping shoppers with accessibility needs engage with product information digitally. Integration with repurchasing options makes it easier for consumers to restock favourites, while Planet-score labelling and sustainability insights reflect Organico’s deep commitment to environmental responsibility.
GS1 next-gen barcodes allow us to give the customer as much individual, product-specific information as possible, because a website tends to give generalised information and not many people will drill down past that."
Lee Switzer-Woolf
Head of sales and marketing at Organico
By turning packaging into a trusted digital touchpoint, Organico has strengthened its brand presence, deepened customer relationships and reinforced its purpose-led approach.
Looking ahead: scaling the solution
Building on these initial successes, Organico now plans to expand the use of QR codes powered by GS1 across its Fish4Ever brand, with a focus on enhancing traceability in seafood sourcing.
The company is also now exploring the use of QR codes on Ocado product listings, enabling direct access to product-specific content from digital storefronts to bridge the gap between physical packaging and online shopping experiences.
It is also gathering valuable customer insights by including QR code-related questions in consumer surveys to help refine its approach, shape future strategy and ensure the technology continues to meet the evolving needs of its audience.
On the operational side, Organico is currently assessing the potential of QR powered inventory management solution to increase warehouse and supply chain efficiency, improve product visibility and reduce waste.
With the support of Orca Scan and GS1 UK, Organico Realfoods is not only transforming its product packaging, it is setting a precedent for smarter, more transparent and more sustainable retail.
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